H&R Block Franchise News

KANSAS CITY, MO, May 23, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), the world's largest tax services provider, today named Gregory J. Macfarlane as the company's Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Macfarlane will lead all aspects of the company's finance and reporting functions, effective June 4, 2012.
"The Board and I are extremely pleased to have a finance executive of Greg's caliber complete our senior management team. We are confident that he will be a major contributor to our success as we focus on creating value for our clients and shareholders," said Bill Cobb, H&R Block's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Greg brings a wealth of experience from his years of managing corporate finance for multi-billion-dollar corporations and he has an impressive track record of leadership and results both domestically and abroad...

KANSAS CITY, MO, May 10, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents per share, payable July 2, 2012, to shareholders of record as of June 11, 2012.
The July 2 payment marks the company's 199th consecutive quarterly dividend.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) has prepared more than 575 million tax returns worldwide since 1955, making it the country's largest tax services provider. In fiscal 2011, H&R Block had annual revenues of nearly $3 billion and prepared more than 24.5 million tax returns worldwide, including Canada and Australia. Tax return preparation services are provided in company-owned and franchise retail tax offices by approximately 100,000 professional tax preparers, and through H&R Block At Home(TM) digital products...

KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwire - Apr 25, 2012) - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB)

22.2 million total U.S. tax returns prepared, up 962,000 or 4.5 percent
Total online1 returns prepared grow more than 20 percent; total digital returns increase 12.3 percent
Total U.S. retail returns prepared up 1.0 percent; aggregate net U.S. retail tax preparation fees up 1.1 percent
Total H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard® units grow 24 percent to 2.9 million

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today reported that total U.S. tax returns prepared fiscal year-to-date through April 18 reached a record 22.2 million, up 4.5 percent compared to the prior year period. The company reported client growth for the second consecutive year in both its U...

KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 25, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB)

Strategic realignment expected to realize net annualized savings of $85 to $100 million by end of fiscal year 2013
Company to record fourth quarter pretax charge for lease termination, severance and related costs of approximately $30 million, or $0.06 per share
Company expects fiscal 2012 total revenues of approximately $2.9 billion and GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.09 to $1.15

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today announced a broad strategic realignment to create a more cohesive end-to-end client experience, to drive better efficiency and accountability throughout the organization, and to align its resources to balance long-term client and revenue growth...

Inaccuracies Could Lead to Refund Delays or Correspondence From IRS
KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 13, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --One in 5 tax filers may be feeling the tax time crunch with a few days remaining until the April 17 filing deadline. Last year, between April 9 and 29, the IRS received more than 32 million returns.
H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) reminds taxpayers feeling pressured to hurry that while meeting the deadline is important, making sure they file an accurate tax return can save them time and money, and spare them an IRS tax audit.
"Making errors while rushing to make the tax filing deadline can be minimized if taxpayers understand how changes in their lives over the past year impact the tax breaks they are entitled," said Elaine Smith, master tax advisor and enrolled agent at H&R Block...

Not Filing on Time Can Add Penalties and Interest That Exceed 25 Percent of Balance Due
KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 11, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) advises the more than 20 percent of taxpayers who owe taxes to be sure to file a tax return or extension to file by April 17 to limit penalties assessed. The penalty for not paying in full is 0.5 percent of the unpaid balance per month, whereas the monthly penalty for not filing a tax return is 10 times that amount (5 percent). Interest also accrues on the unpaid tax and the penalties assessed.
"With less than a week remaining to file a 2011 tax return or an extension, the best option for taxpayers short on cash is clear: file," said Elaine Smith, enrolled agent and master tax advisor for H&R Block...

KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 09, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --On average, more than 10 million taxpayers applied for a tax filing extension each of the past few years, avoiding the 5 percent monthly penalty for failure to file. This year, participating H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) offices are offering free tax extension filing now through the April 17 tax filing deadline.
"Filing a tax return when in a rush can lead to taxpayers making mistakes that may cause them to pay more in taxes than they actually owe," said Elaine Smith, H&R Block tax professional and enrolled agent. "H&R Block can help ensure taxpayers file an accurate tax return that claims all the tax credits and deductions they are entitled."
This extension gives taxpayers an extra six months to file a tax return, making the new filing deadline Oct...

Time Is Dwindling, but Resources Ready for Taxpayers Needing to File by April 17 Deadline
KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 05, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --More than 1 in 4 taxpayers waits until April to file their tax return. Typically, as time runs out for completing important tasks, so do the options of how to get those tasks completed. This isn't true with tax returns: With less than two weeks remaining until the April 17 tax filing deadline, taxpayers still have four primary filing options with H&R Block (NYSE: HRB). Plus, all the options come with accuracy guarantees and some options are free.
"Depending on a taxpayer's individual needs and comfort level with their finances, they elect to come to a tax office for assisted preparation or they do their taxes themselves," said Elaine Smith, master tax advisor and enrolled agent at H&R Block...

H&R Block Can Help On-the-Go Tax Filers Save Time and Money With Mobile Filing Apps
KANSAS CITY, MO, Mar 28, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) -- While mobile technology brings the latest tournament basketball scores and bracket updates to fans' smartphones, it also brings tax filing to the fingertips of tax return filing procrastinators. In roughly the time it takes for a TV timeout, taxpayers can complete and file a tax return using the latest in mobile technology.
In addition to checking brackets on a smartphone or tablet, taxpayers can easily and quickly file a federal form for free with H&R Block. On the iPad tablet, filing the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ forms is free all tax season. Taxpayers with smartphones can file both a simple federal form and state form completely free through April 17 using the industry's only fully free mobile tax filing products...

 H&R Block Advises Compliance Contacts Don't Have to Be Costly
KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwire - Mar 26, 2012) - H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) -- Data for last year shows the IRS audited the tax returns of approximately 1 percent (1.6 million) of taxpayers. However, further inspection indicates that the tax returns of an additional 6.5 percent (9.2 million) of taxpayers were subjected to recently defined type of compliance contact. The National Taxpayer Advocate called these compliance contacts "unreal" audits in a recent blog post1.
No matter what an IRS notification or compliance contact is called, H&R Block advises on the benefits of having professional assistance when responding to an IRS notification.
The 9.2 million taxpayers who were notified the IRS had recalculated their taxes due, also could have been assessed added penalties and late fees...

H&R Block Advises Specific Work Travel Costs Can Mean a Decrease in Tax Liability
KANSAS CITY, MO, Mar 20, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --Predictions that gas could average $5 a gallon across the United States this summer may have commuters looking for extra money in more places than just the couch cushions. Savings from taking advantage of pre-tax fringe benefits and tracking mileage eligible to be deducted could help taxpayers manage their transportation costs, according to experts at The Tax Institute at H&R Block (NYSE: HRB).
"Particularly for taxpayers whose employers provide transportation fringe benefits, using a van pool, transit pass, qualified parking and biking to work can be ways to save money," said Kathy Pickering, executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block...

PASADENA, Calif., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile payments company Wipit, Inc. announced an investment by H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), a leading provider of tax preparation and financial services, with the intent to provide the latest innovations in mobile payment solutions to their clients.
The strategic partnership aligns with H&R Block's focus on innovation and extending value-added financial services to clients of H&R Block. As part of this service, it is planned that H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard® clients will be able to utilize a virtual wallet to make convenient purchases from their smartphones.
Wipit's payment service is aimed at mobile consumers who are underbanked, a target market that overlaps a large segment of H&R Block's customer base and that allows both companies to cross brand and cross promote products and services...

KANSAS CITY, MO, Mar 12, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --(NYSE: HRB) An election year is upon us. While Americans consider who will win their presidential vote this fall, teachers are asking people to cast a ballot for something else in the meantime -- their students. Knowing most teenagers gradate high school with little knowledge about managing their money, H&R Block Dollars & Sense is offering personal finance curriculum to high schools to help increase teens' financial fitness. Teachers nationwide have applied for Dollars & Sense grants, but with candidates this compelling, determining winners is no easy task. And this is where the general public comes in. Through April 17, anyone can vote for the schools they want to see teaching personal finance by visiting www...

KANSAS CITY, MO, Mar 07, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB)
Interim tax results through Feb. 28

Total tax returns prepared grow 5.1 percent
Total retail returns prepared up 1.6 percent
Total online(1) returns prepared increase more than 20 percent; total digital returns up nearly 13 percent
Total H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard(R) units up 22 percent to 2.6 million

Fiscal third quarter results ended Jan. 31

Net loss from continuing operations of $3.6 million, or $0.01 per share(2), compared to prior year loss of $11.0 million, or $0.04 per share
Total revenues down 2.5 percent to $663.3 million
Minimum equity covenant on company's committed line of credit lowered by $150 million to $500 million

H&R Block, Inc...

KANSAS CITY, MO, Mar 06, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --Bill Cobb, president and chief executive officer of H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), will present at the Credit Suisse Global Services Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona on Monday, March 12, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.
The company will post the accompanying slide presentation on its investor relations Web site at www.hrblock.com before the New York Stock Exchange market open on Monday, March 12.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) has prepared more than 575 million tax returns worldwide since 1955, making it the country's largest tax services provider. In fiscal 2011, H&R Block had annual revenues of nearly $3.0 billion and prepared more than 24.5 million tax returns worldwide, including Canada and Australia...

KANSAS CITY, MO, Mar 01, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents per share, payable April 2, 2012, to shareholders of record as of March 12, 2012.
The April 2 payment marks the company's 198th consecutive quarterly dividend.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) has prepared more than 575 million tax returns worldwide since 1955, making it the country's largest tax services provider. In fiscal 2011, H&R Block had annual revenues of nearly $3 billion and prepared more than 24.5 million tax returns worldwide, including Canada and Australia. Tax return preparation services are provided in company-owned and franchise retail tax offices by approximately 100,000 professional tax preparers, and through H&R Block At Home(TM) digital products...

Only H&R Block Offers a Mobile App With Totally Free Tax Return Filing
KANSAS CITY, MO, Feb 29, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) today released its Android tax preparation filing app and is extending the industry's only fully free mobile filing offer for tax filers. The H&R Block At Home(TM) Android and iPhone smartphone apps are free to download and offer a free simple federal and free state tax return through April 17.
Using the smartphone app, filers can easily complete a federal 1040EZ and state return by photographing their W-2 to automatically import data into the app. Generally, a 1040EZ filer is a single or married taxpayer who does not itemize deductions, has no dependents and earned less than $100,000 last year...

Tax Deduction Up to $4,000 Now Allowed for High School Students With College Expenses
KANSAS CITY, MO, Feb 28, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --According to IRS data, an average of 3.75 million taxpayers claimed the Tuition and Fees Deduction annually the past few years for billions in associated costs. Those numbers could grow thanks to a change in IRS guidance that expands the qualifications for taxpayers, H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) advises.
The tax break, covering up to $4,000 of certain higher education costs, now includes higher education costs for those who are out of high school but did not earn a GED or diploma as well as for students currently in high school and paying for higher education classes. The IRS previously indicated that in order to claim the deduction the student had to have a GED or high school diploma...

Taxpayers May Receive Additional Tax Refunds From Overlooked Tax Breaks
KANSAS CITY, MO, Feb 13, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --Through April 30, participating H&R Block tax offices will offer taxpayers free Second Look(SM) reviews of their 2008 - 2010 income tax returns not prepared by H&R Block (NYSE: HRB). This review is designed to ensure taxpayers received the maximum refund possible and to help them recover any hard-earned money that might have been left on the table.
New this year, taxpayers can access the expertise of H&R Block for a free Second Look from the comfort of their own homes with Block Live. The video conferencing tool engages the taxpayer directly with a tax professional in a secure format, making it even easier to have H&R Block do a Second Look at prior year tax returns...

KANSAS CITY, MO, Feb 02, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --(NYSE: HRB) First job. First car. First apartment. First tax return. These signal some of the rites of passage into adulthood. More than 5 million taxpayers will file their own income tax return for the first time this tax season and they may not know where to start. Many first-time filers have been dependents on someone else's return for close to two decades, but circumstances now dictate they are required to file a tax return.
To lessen the confusion, H&R Block offers tips on who is required to file, what paper work is needed, what forms to use and what method may be right for them.
1. Who is required to file a tax return?
Generally, anyone earning income should consider filing a return...